Childhood
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| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
What does it mean to be a child in today’s world? Do popular images of innocence and dependence match the reality of young people’s lives at home, in school and in work? How is childhood affected by poverty, ill-health and adversity? Do children have different rights from adults, and if so why? How are modern lifestyles and technologies altering their play and their identities? What are children's own roles in shaping their childhood? Such questions are the starting point for this interdisciplinary introduction to childhood and youth studies, covering the age range 0–18 and including audio-visual case studies in three contrasting parts of the world.
Course content
This broad-based course on the theme of childhood is:
- Introductory Childhood has a place in everyone's lives, but personal experiences of being a child are very varied. These personal experiences are one of the starting points for the course, which will be equally relevant whether you are a parent, work with children, or are simply interested in how children and young people are treated and understood.
- Interdisciplinary The course introduces a range of perspectives on childhood, drawing on recent research and theories from sociology, anthropology, psychology, cultural studies, social history, philosophy, social policy and children’s rights.
- International You will learn about childhood (and cultural beliefs on the subject) in different societies and at different periods in history, with modern western childhood as one among many examples. Diversity and inequality are central themes, as are the ways in which childhood is becoming globalised and regulated by universal standards.
The course is divided into four blocks, each with a specially prepared course text, along with extensive audio-visual material. Children’s own perspectives on their childhood are prominent in the course, drawing on three specially prepared audio-visual case studies from Cape Town (South Africa), Chittagong (Bangladesh) and Oakland (USA). These case studies run throughout the course.
Block 1 asks ‘What is childhood?’ and introduces a range of perspectives within childhood studies. Topics in this block include the history of beliefs about childhood; how far children are seen as innocent or knowing; the growth of scientific approaches to studying children; the significance of gender and debates around children’s rights.
Block 2 examines the interplay among family, work, schooling and other influences in children’s daily lives. Topics in this block include changing family patterns; debates about school versus work; and current concerns about child labour. Issues in early childhood are also discussed, as well as the transition from child to adult.
Block 3 looks at the distinctiveness of children’s cultural worlds by exploring everyday activities of young children through to teenagers. Topics in this block include friendships and the significance of play; children's language; the place of literature for children; their engagement with the media and with information technology; and their power as consumers.
Block 4 looks at the obstacles that many children face which make childhood both a local experience and a global concern. Topics in this block include the effects of poverty and other adversities, such as violence, on children’s health and well-being. Different approaches to intervening in children's lives are discussed, with particular attention to their rights to participation and the ways they can become engaged with social issues, including issues surrounding their status as children.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course, but to take it you need not necessarily be professionally engaged in work with children, or have any knowledge of childhood studies. The activities and assignments for this course do not require access to children. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you would like more information about this course you can visit the Faculty's website which includes FAQs, sample exercises of course materials and testimonials.
Qualifications
U212 is a compulsory course in our
- BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23)
- BA (Honours) Working with Young People (B55)
- Diploma in Childhood and Youth Studies (E33)
- Foundation Degree in Working with Young People (G03)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People (E38)
U212 is an optional course in our
- Foundation Degree in Early Years (G01)
- Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning (G02)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years (E37)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning (E59)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
- BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies (B11)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Nursing Studies (B47)
- BA Early Years (B51)
- BSc (Honours) Nursing Practice (B53)
- BA (Honours) Social Work Studies (B59)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The written course material is available in comb-bound format. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The course units and supplementary material are available on CD-ROM in ‘ReadOut’ format with navigational facilities. The text is provided and, where available, a real voice recording. You will need your usual interface to access the material, e.g. a screen reader with synthetic speech output, screen enlargement software or Braille facilities. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, CD-ROMs and course website.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in January 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Childhood and Youth, Environment, Development and International Studies, Education and Health and Social Care.
Study explained
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- Credit points
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- Level
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- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
I really enjoyed this course, although found block 3 challenging! It was enlightening and challenged me to look at things ...
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A fantastic course to gain a real insight to all aspects of children. The internataional slant gave the course a ...
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